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Date	Original Topic
19th August 2005	Royal Natal Carbineers By Sean Sweeney If you're not already aware, the Natal Carbineers celebrated their 150th Anniversary earlier this year, and are S.Africa's senior Regiment. My 'Carbineer' history mentions an AZW Memorial Tablet in St Peter's Cathedral with the following inscription; 'Stranger, tell England we died doing our duty.' which somehow manages to say it all ! This rings a bell in my fading memory. Does anyone know if this is a unique inscription, or something in the mould of Thermopylae, Trafalgar et al ? Incidentally, The Carbineers now number Zulu volunteers among their recruits. What an amazing turnaround of history ! Sean
Date	Replies
19th August 2005	Paul Cubbin 'Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that there obediant to their laws we lie' That is one translation of the stone at Thermopylae and is does bear a striking resemblance to the Carabineers' memorial. Undoubtably it was inspired by the legendary battle against Darius' Persians.
19th August 2005	Peter Ewart Sean/Paul And the wording on the Carbineers' memorial at Isandlwana itself is also based upon this. Peter
19th August 2005	Coll Sean As mentioned in a previous topic, I have recently obtained a copy of 'The Natal Carbineers' by Rev. J. Stalker. A fantastic addition to any book collection. Coll
21st August 2005	Sean Sweeney Thanks guys. Looks like the creator of the inscriptions was inspired by the 300 Spartans v 100,000+ Persians epic, and a bit of 'England expects.......". Not a bad comparison, although more relevant to RD than Isandhlwana. Coll; I saw your earlier reference. I have the later 'Carbineer' by Alan Hattersley, more for the WWII detail. Includes some detail of their origins, foundation, and history, however. It's a 1,000 copy limited edition hardback. (Gale and Polden Ltd, Aldershot, 1950) Sean
23rd August 2005	Rich Paul: Darius, the Great King, would love your publicity for him! But I think it was his son Xerxes that met up with Leonidas on that day...;-)....